The Rev. Lyman S. Parks: First, only black mayor of Grand Rapids, Mich.

1917-2009

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Rev. Lyman S. Parks, a minister who was the first and only black mayor of Grand Rapids, Mich., has died at age 92.

Grand Rapids City Clerk Lauri Parks told the Grand Rapids Press that her grandfather died Wednesday morning following a stroke over the weekend.

WXMI-TV reported that Lyman Parks and his wife, Cleo, lived at an independent-living facility in west suburban Lisle for the last year.

He became Grand Rapids' first black city commissioner in 1968.

WZZM-TV said the City Commission appointed Mr. Parks mayor after Robert Boelens resigned from the position in 1971. Two years later, Mr. Parks beat 10 opponents to be elected mayor of Michigan's second-largest city.

He ran again in 1976 but lost.

WOOD-TV said his body will be returned to Grand Rapids.

AP